Thursday, September 22, 2011

I am branching out into the photography world!! And I'm super excited! Ive always enjoyed taking pictures. Mostly wildlife shots from our ranch, sitting in a deer blind shooting with my camera instead of my gun. Then once I had kids my camera card was, naturally, filled with pics of them. Since college I would day dream about starting my own photography business, but never really voiced it outloud. One day I was talking with my dad about how to bring in extra income for our family and i mentioned my desire to take pictures. He surprised me at how excited and supportive of the idea he was! It made me voice my idea a loud more often and eventually I just dove in head first. (not really knowing WHAT I was doing!) I researched cameras... went out just to look at some.... and came home with the Canon 7d! I loooove it! Next came hitting up family and friends for some free practice and VIOLA!! Country Grace Photography is in its beginning stages. I still have lots to learn... lots. And Im still practicing on my editing technique. But Im having a blast! So here our some of my faves from the photo shoots Ive done so far! I would love to hear any feedback or constructive comments!

Friday, September 9, 2011

This past weekend Chris and I and the kids went home for one of our favorite weekends of the year- Opening dove season! We missed The Friday hunt because Chris had to work but we made it in time for Saturday. Allie got dropped off with Gigi, ( she was decked out in camo - even a camo bow!) but Colten got to tag along and hunt with Daddy. Chris would shoot and Colten would run to get the birds. (I can remember doing this with my dad) We had a great hunt, killed a lot of birds and cooked them over the fire that night. Then all us "big kids" as in me, Chris, my brothers and cousins (almost all in our 20s) played Annie Over. A game we invented when we were younger. Colten tagged along and tried to play too. We stayed over at my cousins until midnight, I can't believe Colten lasted that long!!

It always feels good to go home for a weekend and spend it with my family. I'm blessed to have a very close, very big extended family! Now I'm anxiously awaiting deer season and more weekend hunts with the Zerrs :)

Monday, September 5, 2011

How? How has it been 3 years since I became a mommy? 3 years since Colten was born? I can't believe it!!! He is so big and he thinks he's even bigger. Coltens bday party isn't until the 17th but we had to do something special on his big day. Ever since we went to the State Aquarium this summer, Colten has talked about the dolphin show. So we told him we would take him to Sea World for his birthday. He was so excited!! We have been talking about Shamu all week and he was so happy this morning when I told him it was the day we get to go. He literally jumped up from his bed- tackled/hugged me and said "I want to get dressed!". So we were off to Sea World- Chris, Me, Colten and Allie! I was really excited about this trip. Grammie used to get us season passes for christmas as kids and we used to go with all the cousins. It was way different from when I was a kid.... I guess since I'm the adult paying for everything. Sea world sucks the money from your wallet!!! 114$ for 2 adult tickets. $15 to park! (whaaaaaat??) and you can't bring in any food or drinks. So 29$ for a pizza buffet lunch. Oh! And 8$ for a large coke. And to top it off they even get you to PAY to feed their animals. (genius!) 6$ for a tray of 4 small fish to feed the dolphins. But we had to feed the dolphins. Mainly, because I wanted to pet them :)

Now that my griping about what a greedy, money hungry, brat, Sea World is, is out of the way... Let me tell you we had a GREAT time! The weather was perfect! High of 90 with a cool breeze. Amazing! It's been topping out at 111 so this cool front was a lovely surprise. The kids had a blast. They "oohed" and "awed" at all the animal exhibits. They loved watching the shows. They ran around on the playgrounds and even rode a kiddie ride. And posed for pics with the shamu character!! Maybe we will make it a yearly trip on Coltens birthday.

Colten and me at the dolphin show

Chris and Allie watching Shamu!

And then Allie fell asleep...

Feeding and touching dolphins!!

After Sea World we went to Chilis for dinner. And then home to open presents. Colten got a big stuffed Shamu, a bubble football, puzzle and a new nerf gun. He also got a little tykes pick-up truck that even has a bed that Allie can sit in and Colten can drive them around. Of cours his favorite was the gun! And his target? Yep, mommy!

I'm slowly accepting the fact that my little baby is growing up. Colten is such the little blessing in our lives. I treasure every hug, kiss and wet willy I get from my little guy. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't praise God for giving me my Colten.

About Me

So, I titled my blog "Counting My Blessings One by One" because God has blessed me so much in my life. And if I were to really sit down and start counting.... Well it would reach a high number!! But I know for sure my first 3 on the list - Chris, Colten & Allie. Chris is my number one. He's my best friend and has been since I was 15. I always knew I was going to marry him and I'm so glad it was part of Gods plan!! Then comes Colten and Allie. Everyday they do something that, in lack of a better word, amazes me! And I want to remember every cute, funny, precious thing they do. So I plan on writing them down in "here" and one day, maybe the kiddos will get to read it. Or Chris and I will look back one day and remember a wonderful memory. Anyways, that's the plan! We will see how it goes....